Sunday Betting Recaps
Welcome to our daily recap of the sports betting results from the night before.
In case you missed the announcement last week, we’ve started splitting our “Tuley’s Takes” columns into two separate pieces: this FREE article where I recap last night’s betting action and update league-wide ATS stats in the various team sports, and then another one where I give my Best Bets on the day’s wagering menu.
Links to both articles should be found on the VSiN.com home page, though I advise my regular readers to also bookmark my dedicated page at https://vsin.com/news/dave-tuley-columns/.
As for Sunday’s betting action, the NBA playoff trend of SU winners covering the spread (meaning either favorites cover or dogs win outright with the spread not coming into play) had its first real hiccup as the Kings covered as 7.5-point road underdogs in their 126-225 loss at the Warriors. The trend is still 27-2-1 ATS though the previous loss (Suns -7.5) and push (76ers -5) were against closing lines while it was technically 26-0 ATS (for those getting opening lines (Suns -2.5 and 76ers -4,5 in those games) and now 29-1 ATS.
Let’s get to Sunday’s more detailed recaps in the NBA and NHL playoffs, plus the full MLB slate and the wrapup of the weekend in the XFL and USFL.
NBA: Timberwolves (+4) re-rallied to upset Nuggets 114-108 in OT late Sunday to avoid a sweep (game stayed Under betting total of 222.5 points despite OT). NBA favorites still went 3-1 SU Sunday but 2-2 ATS as the Kings (+7.5) covered in their 126-125 loss at the Warriors). The Knicks (-1.5 in 102-93 win vs. Cavaliers) and Celtics (-7.5 in 129-121 win at Hawks) covered as chalk. Home teams went 3-1 SU and ATS. Over/Unders split 2-2. The “zig-zag theory” (aka “loser of last”) went 3-1 ATS with Warriors, Celtics and T-Wolves covering after dropping previous game while the Cavaliers were the loser.
More NBA playoffs: Faves lead 21-9 SU and 19-11 ATS (63.3%) so far in the 1st round. Home teams lead 20-10 SU and 20-9-1 ATS (69%). Unders still lead 17-13 (21-15, 58.3%, if including play-in tournament). The zig-zag improved to 12-9-1 ATS (57.1%).
NHL: Road teams (all higher seeds) swept 4-0 for the 2nd day in row!. Faves/dogs split 2-2 with upsets by the Hurricanes (+105 in 5-2 win at Islanders) and Stars (+100 in 3-2 win at Wild). The Bruins (-160 in 6-2 win at Panthers) and Oilers (-185 in 5-4 OT win at Kings) won as chalk. Overs went 3-1. The “zig-zag theory” (aka “loser of last”) went 3-1 on Sunday.
More NHL: Favorites lead just 15-13 so far in the 1st round. Road teams have taken over (after going 8-0 the last 2 days) as they improved their slim lead to 17-11 overall. Overs lead 18-10. The zig-zag went 3-1 to improve back to 14-6 after starting this postseason at 10-2 but going 1-3 on Saturday.
MLB: Faves went 11-3 on Sunday with Reds-Pirates closing pick-’em. The upsets were by the Red Sox (+150 at Brewers), Astros (+120 at Braves) and Giants (+110 vs. Mets). Home teams went 9-6. Unders led 8-5-2 with pushes in OAK-TEX (7) and NYM-SF (9). On the season, faves lead 202-123 with 6 games closing PK. Road teams dipped to 168-163. Overs lead 165-150-16 (52.4%).
XFL: Seattle (-10.5) covered in 28-9 win vs. Vegas to grab the last playoff spot and wrap up Week 10 and the regular season (stayed Under 47.5). Earlier, Houston beat Arlington 25-9 in game that closed pick-’em (Under 38.5). XFL faves finished 28-10 SU and 19-17-2 ATS with 2 PKs. Home teams led 21-19 SU but split 19-19-2 ATS. Overs finished 20-19-1.
USFL: Michigan (+4.5) upset Philadelphia 24-10 Sunday to wrap up Week 2 (stayed Under 47). New Jersey (-7) covered in 20-3 win at Pittsburgh (Under 36.5). On the young season, faves lead 5-3 SU but only 4-4 ATS. Over/Unders back to .500 at 4-4 after Unders swept 2-0 on Sunday.
